Frequently Asked Questions

An assisted living facility is generally for a patient that is still relatively independent. They may only require assistance with certain everyday activities such as dressing, grooming, or preparing meals. In contrast, a nursing home is reserved for those individuals that require much more attention and care. Nursing home patients are generally in less than good mental or physical health and have difficulty with mobility on their own.

Search and communicate with a senior care consultant to begin researching the best options for your caring needs. This expert will be able to discuss topics such as location of care, and payment options. (i.e. Medicare, Medicaid, and long term care insurance)

A senior care consultant can be a great first step in determining which directions your family should take in preparing for long-term health care. Nursing homes can be visited, and contacted ahead of time to gain as much information as possible in making your decision. It is recommended that up to ten different facilities be researched, due to the uncertainty of room availability at any given time.

You will most likely have options for care within a 50 mile are of your primary and/or families residence. If a room is not found for you in less than 60 days (approx.) then you may be asked to consider options further away. Your senior care consultant will be of assistance in the event placement locally is not found.

Costs will vary depending on the establishment chosen. Location, amenities, and service levels will all be factors in cost. Prices have been known to range from $2,000 to over $10,000 per month. Your personal consultant will be able to discuss prices in your area with you and your family.

When private funds fall short of the ability to pay for care, the patient will be entitled to apply for Medicaid. When eligibility is reached for Medicaid, your consultant will be able to assist you in the steps needed to change payment options over. A patient will never be denied care, or transferred out of care in this intermediate period.

Your senior care consultant will ask about your finances to determine if you will be a “private pay” (you use your own funds) or covered by Medicaid. Some people have commercial insurance that covers nursing home costs. In limited cases, Medicare pays for nursing home care. If you need Medicaid to cover the cost of nursing home care, your consultant will refer you to a financial counselor or a Medicaid worker to help you apply for Medicaid.

Hospitals are designated for patients who have serious medical needs that can only be attented to in a hospital. Insurance companies reserve the right to review and stop benefits payouts if it is determined that hospital care is no longer required. At this point you will be required to address the options of a transfer to a long term care facility, and you care consultant can help you with that transition.

Nursing home residents who, following assessment from a psychiatrist, have “capacity” (the ability to make sound decisions about their own care) always have the right to leave a nursing home if they choose to do so.

Admission is based on your medical and financial information. Nursing homes notify the hospital of their decision. You are expected to accept the first facility offered to you by any of the nursing homes you have applied to. If none of your selected nursing homes has accepted your application by the fifth business day after the application process has begun, you will have to accept services offered by any other nursing home in your geographic area qualified to provide for your care.

Making plans for this is called “Advance Directives.” By filing a Health Care Proxy Form and a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, your doctors and caregivers can carry out your wishes if you are no longer able to express them yourself.

Deposits are non-refundable.